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A military source has said that the arrest power awarded to the Armed Forces under the government of former Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri was formally withdrawn on Monday following the preliminary referendum results, and that the troops have all gone back to their barracks.

The source added that the Armed Forces withdrew completely from politics since the handover of power in June, and that a few troops are still securing certain vital installations until the police return in full force.

Former Justice Minister Adel Abdel Hamid issued a decree on 13 June giving military intelligence and officers the power to arrest civilians until a new constitution is in place. The decree was wildly condemned by rights advocates.